Paul Mescal's Role In 'Streetcar Named Desire' Had A Lot To Do With His 'Gladiator' Sequel Casting

Paramount is revealing just why Paul Mescal won the role of Lucius in the upcoming Gladiator sequel.

While speaking to Variety, the Paramount motion picture co-head Daria Cercek, revealed what cinched the role in 27-year-old actor’s favor – and it might surprise you!

Keep reading to find out more…

Apparently, all Paul had to do was go shirtless!

Daria said that the reaction she and other execs witness after he went shirtless in A Streetcar Named Desire on The West End in London, was a key factor in his casting.

“He played Stanley, and there are several moments where he takes off his shirt and it was electric,” she said. “The ladies in the audience were very vocal, and we were like, ‘I think we’ve found our guy.’”

The sequel is said to focus on Paul‘s Lucius, who is the son Lucilla (played by Connie Nielsen in the first movie), who grew up to become obsessed with Maximus (who was played by Russell Crowe).

While Russell won’t appear in the movie, here’s why he said he should be paid for it.